Constitution and Bylaws Constitution

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I-NAME

THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF McComb, Mississippi, INCORPORATED.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE SECTION 1. PURPOSE

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO RENDER CHARITABLE SERVICES WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CHILDREN; TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PERFORMING SIMILAR SERVICES.

THIS ORGANIZATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS OR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501 (C) (3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

SECTION 2. POLICIES

THE POLICIES OF THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF McComb, Mississippi SHALL BE IN HARMONY WITH THE POLICIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INCORPORATED.

ARTICLE III - FIELD OF SERVICE

FIELD OF SERVICE SHALL BE THE CITY OF McComb and the County of Pike, can include the McComb Separate School District, Parkland Academy, Saint Alphonsus Elementary School, North Pike School District and South Pike School District.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE and who has been a resident of Pike County, Amite County and/or Walthall County since September 1st of the previous year MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP.

THE CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS

A. PROVISIONAL - PROVISIONAL MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO ARE

ENGAGED IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

ADMISSION TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP, AND ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO

VOTE OR HOLD OFFICE. PROVISIONAL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO

SERVE A TERM OF SIX MONTH AND TO COMPLETE A PROVISIONAL

COURSE WITHIN THIS PERIOD. AN EXTENSION OF SIX MONTHS MAY BE GRANTED BY THE LOCAL BOARD IN THE CASE OF A PROVISIONAL WHO, FOR UNAVOIDABLE REASONS, IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURSE WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIME. Upon completion of training a Provisional may request a temporary delay of active
service. The terms and conditions are subject to the board's discretion. This
member must submit a letter to the Provisional trainer, as well as, the Executive
Board by March 31st. In order to become an active member, she must request in
writing to be admitted into the chapter before the start of the new fiscal year or by
April 30th. A Provisional shall be required to serve a minimum of twenty-five
hours of work or assignment under a placement chairman, PROVISIONAL
MEMBERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE PROVISIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE
LOCAL BOARD AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSOCIATION
PROVISIONAL TRAINING MANUEL; SHALL ATTEND AT LEAST 2/3 OF
THE REGULAR MEETINGS HELD BY THE CHAPTER DURING THIS
PERIOD AND SHALL PAY DUES TO THE CHAPTER. ALL HOURS
ACCRUED BY A PROVISIONAL SHALL BE RECORDED AS
PROVISIONAL HOURS UNDER EDUCATION. A CHAPTER

MEMBERSHIP CARD SHALL BE SENT TO NAJA HEADQUARTERS WITHIN THIRTY DAYS UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROVISIONAL MEMBER. The Provisional terms does not apply toward the five years of Active service.

B. ACTIVE- ACTIVE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE LOCAL BOARD. THEY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALL THE PRIVILEGES AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO HOLD OFFICE AND TO VOTE AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTER.

1.REQUIREMENTS: TO MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP IN GOOD STANDING, A MEMBER SHALL PAY DUES TO THE ASSOCIATION ANNUALLY, pay all fees and fines promptly, AND SHALL OBTAIN A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-FOUR SERVICE HOURS AND TWELVE EDUCATION HOURS PER YEAR (up to two hours will be allowed via independent study with prior approval of the Education Chair), and twenty finance hours. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE HOUR EACH. SIX CHAPTER MEETINGS MUST APPLY TOWARD THE ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. OTHER EDUCATION HOURS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ADDITIONAL CHAPTER MEETINGS, ANNUAL MEETING, AREA MEETINGS, AND CHAPTER/COMMUNITY SEMINARS. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION HOUR REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER. ALL HOURS SHALL BE ACCRUED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AND IN A MANNER SATISFACTORY TO THE LOCAL BOARD.

2. PENALTIES: AN ACTIVE MEMBER FAILING TO FULFILL THE
YEARLY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERHSIP FORFEITS THAT YEAR OF
WORK ACCREDITED TOWARD ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY,
forfeits the right to hold office, and is subject to review by the board. Any behavior
unbecoming of a J.A. member that adversely affects the chapter is also subject to review
by the board for possible action.

3. PRIVILEGES: a.) ANY MEMBER WHO, AFTER HAVING SERVED
A MINIMUM OF FIVE ACTIVE YEARS AND HAVING PAID TO THE
ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN ADDITIONAL YEARS OF
CURRENT ASSOCIATE DUES, SHALL BE ABSOLVED FROM FURTHER
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION. B).AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LOCAL BOARD, A
MEMBER MAY BE TEMPORARILY EXCUSED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE.

4. Should it be necessary to take a leave of absence, the Board may grant one
three month leave and one three month extension. During the member's absence, all dues
must be kept current. Upon returning, the member must complete the equivalent number
of hours missed during the leave in order to meet all yearly requirements and receive
credit toward completion of the five years of active service. Any unavoidable
circumstances brought forth by a member are subject to approval and recommendation by
the Board for further leave.

C.ASSOCIATE - ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO, WHILE
SERVING AS ACTIVE MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING OF A PROVISIONAL OR
ACTIVE JUNIOR AUXILIARY CHAPTER, HAVE ACCUMULATED A MINIMUM
OF FIVE YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE AND WHO DESIRE TO CHANGE
MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION. THE MEMBER SHALL PAY ASSOCIATE
DUES. AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER, AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER
MAY BE ACCORDED ASSOCIATE/ACTIVE STATUS. Anyone who elects to
become an Active Associate member must serve 22 hours; 12 of which must be Service
hours, 5 Education hours, and 5 Finance hours. Active Associate members shall have all
the privileges of active membership except the right to vote or hold office (the office of
Parliamentarian being the only exception.). Written request for Active Associate
membership must be submitted to the Executive Board by March 31st. This person has
the classification of Associate with NAJA.

D.LIFE - LIFE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO, AFTER HAVING
ACCUMULATED A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE,
HAVE PAID TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN
ADDITIONAL YEARS OF CURRENT ASSOCIATE DUES. AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE CHAPTER, A LIFE MEMBER MAY BE ACCORDED
LIFE ACTIVE STATUS.

1

E.SUSTAINING - SUSTAINING MEMBERS ARE THOSE PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP AND UPON WHOM THE CHAPTER DESIRES TO BESTOW AN HONORARY MEMBERSHIP DUE TO OUTSTANDING SERVICE OR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHAPTER.

F.NON-RESIDENT - ACTIVE MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ARE ENTITLED TO NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIP, WHICH IS OPEN TO THOSE WHOSE RESIDENCE IS CHANGED TO THAT OF ANOTHER COMMUNITY.

IF A NON-RESIDENT MEMBER WISHES TO COMPLETE ACTIVE OBLIGATION AND ATTAIN ASSOCIATE STATUS THE MEMBER MUST:

1. COMPLETE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND TWELVE EDUCATION HOURS PER REMAINING YEAR TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS;
2. PAY NON-RESIDENT DUES TO CHAPTER OF RECORD;
3. REPORT SERVICE AND EDUCATION HOURS TO

CHAPTER OF RECORD.

UPON ATTAINING ASSOCIATE STATUS, THE MEMBER PAYS TO THE ASSOCIATION A TOTAL AMOUNT EQUAL TO TEN (10) YEARS OF ASSOCIATE DUES TO ATTAIN LIFE STATUS.

SECTION 2. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

A WOMAN WHO IS AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE and shall have resided in the McComb area (not outside of Pike, Amite and/or Walthall Counties) as of September 1 of the year immediately preceding the time the proposed member's name is submitted MAY BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP. The candidate must be proposed in writing by one member and seconded by two others. Only Active members in good standing may propose candidates for membership. An Active member may propose one candidate and endorse one candidate or may endorse two candidates Any Active Associate member may sign for two candidates.

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE

The Junior Auxiliary of McComb, Mississippi shall have a secret committee composed of five members - the Past President as chairman, the President and three other members to be elected by secret ballot by members at large at the May meeting. The Secret Committee must vote orally on all names proposed by members of the organization and those names being passed by this committee shall be presented to the chapter at the August meeting, and shall be voted on at the August meeting.

All voting shall be by secret ballot. Those candidates receiving two-thirds vote shall be selected as members to begin the Provisional term with the Chapter October 1. An invitation to membership shall be offered only twice. Those not elected to membership may have their names proposed at a later time.

SECTION 4. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP

An application to change to another class of membership must be made in writing to the Recording Secretary. A member desiring a change in class of membership must submit the request by March 31. Exceptions are changes to Non-Resident or resignation. Changes to another class of membership shall become effective upon the approval of the Executive Board, and members shall be notified in writing of the action of the Board.

ANY MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WHO CHANGES RESIDENCE SHALL BE PERMITTED TRANSFER PRIVILEGES TO A CHAPTER IN THE NEW LOCALITY. THE RIGHT OF TRANSFER GRANTED IN THIS SECTION DOES NOT EXTEND TO A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN DROPPED OR WHO HAS RESIGNED FROM MEMBERSHIP. PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAINING REQUIRED BY THE CHAPTER TO WHICH THEY TRANSFER. IF THERE ARE NO VACANCIES IN THE CHAPTER TO WHICH A MEMBER IS TRANSFERRING, THE NAME OF THE MEMBER SHALL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST AND SHALL BE ACCEPTED IN ORDER OF APPLICATION. [A member who resigns or is dropped from a Chapter should not be accepted again as a member of that Chapter.]

B. RESIGNATIONS:A member who resigns or is dropped from the McComb, Mississippi Chapter should not be accepted again as a member of that Chapter, unless said member resigned due to a change of residency. That member is eligible to fill a vacancy at any time during the year.

ARTICLE V - DUES AND CHARGES

ALL CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PROVISIONAL AND LIFE MEMBERS SHALL PAY ANNUAL DUES TO THE ASSOCIATION.

ACTIVE MEMBERS (INCLUDING MEMBERS ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE) AND NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS SHALL PAY $55.00 ANNUAL DUES. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS SHALL PAY $35.00 ANNUAL DUES.

PROVISIONAL MEMBERS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR CHAPTER DUES IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCEPTANCE OF THE INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP in the amount of $45. ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE, AND NON-RESIDENT DUES FOR THE COMING YEAR SHALL BE PAYABLE TO THE CHAPTER NO LATER THAN THE FIRST DAY OF THE FISCAL YEAR, MAY 1. [Can and should be sooner to allow for collection.] ALL DUES ARE PAYABLE TO THE ASSOCIATION UPON RECEIPT OF STATEMENT AND ARE DELINQUENT AFTER JULY 15. AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER MAY, AT ANY TIME, PAY THE EQUIVALENT OF TEN YEARS ASSOCIATE DUES TO ATTAIN THE STATUS OF LIFE MEMBER. THIS AMOUNT MUST BE FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY TO HEADQUARTERS IN ORDER FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP STATUS TO BE GRANTED.

REFUNDS OF DUES WILL NOT BE MADE TO MEMBERS RESIGNING DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

REFUNDS WILL NOT BE MADE TO PROVISIONAL MEMBERS FAILING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

ARTICLE VI - CHAPTER MEETINGS

SECTION 1. REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held on the fourth Wednesday of June, September, November, December, February and April at 9:30 a.m.; and the fourth Monday of May, August, October, January and March at 6:00 p.m. There will be no meeting in the month of July. Active members shall attend seven of the eleven monthly meetings annually to remain in good standing. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, CHAPTER MEETINGS SHALL COUNT ONE HOUR EACH. SIX CHAPTER MEETINGS MUST APPLY TOWARD THE ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. CHAPTER MEETINGS HELD IN AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT ARE PROHIBITED.

Special called meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Executive Board.

SECTION 2. QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members.

SECTION 3. VOTING

ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND PROXY VOTING ARE PROHIBITED.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS

CHAPTER OFFICERS ARE THE PRESIDENT, FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT, Second Vice-President, RECORDING SECRETARY, Corresponding Secretary, TREASURER, Assistant Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Camp Sunshine Chairman and Two Directors-at-Large. The President shall have served at least two years on the Executive Board in order to be eligible to serve as President. She must have served one of those years immediately prior to her nomination.

SECTION 1. NOMINATION AND ELECTION

The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidate(s).

Officers shall be elected by secret ballot at the January meeting of the Chapter for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.

OFFICERS ASSUME DUTIES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAPTER FISCALYEAR, MAY 1. The Treasurer is elected for a term of two years.

SECTION 2. DUTIES

THE PRESIDENT IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CHAPTER PRESIDES AT ALL CHAPTER AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS AND IS AN EX-OFFICIO TO ALL COMMITTEES EXCEPT THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE. THE PRESIDENT APPOINTS ALL COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN. UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED.

THE VICE-PRESIDENT ASSUMES THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESIDENT. She shall serve as Chairman of the Projects Committee.

The 2nd Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in the absence of the President and 1st Vice-President. She shall serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

THE RECORDING SECRETARY KEEPS THE MINUTES AND THE ROLL OF THE MEETINGS OF THE CHAPTER AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD; KEEPS A CORRECT, CLASSIFIED LIST OF THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ALL MEMBERS AND MAINTAINS A FILE OF ESSENTIAL RECORDS ON EACH MEMBER. THESE FILES ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE SUCCESSOR AT THE CLOSE OF THE TERM OF OFFICE.

The Corresponding Secretary answers and keeps on file all correspondence relating to the Chapter.

THE TREASURER and Assistant Treasurer are CUSTODIAN(s) OF ALL CHAPTER FUNDS; COLLECT ALL DUES AND ASSESSMENTS AND RECEIVE MONIES; KEEP FULL AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTS AND PRESENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CHAPTER AND THE BOARD; PRESENT AN ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BALANCE SHEET AT A CHAPTER MEETING AND TRANSFER TO SUCCESSORS ALL BOOKS AND FINANCIAL RECORDS. THE TREASURER and Assistant Treasurer are RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING ONLINE THE STATEMENT OF CASH BALANCES BY MAY 15, FOR PROMPT PAYMENT OF ALL DUES AND FEES TO HEADQUARTERS BY JULY 15, AND FOR SENDING COPIES OF STATEMENT OF CASH BALANCES, CHAPTER FEDERAL TAX RETURN (FORM 990), OR A LETTER STATING THAT FORM 990 IS NOT REQUIRED, TO HEADQUARTERS BY OCTOBER 15 OF EACH YEAR.

The past President shall serve as Parliamentarian and conduct the Provisional training course. In the event the President shall be re-elected or be unable to serve the term as Parliamentarian, the President shall, with the consent of the Executive Board, appoint a member in good standing as Parliamentarian. In the event that a member serves as President during the fifth year of Active Membership, she may elect to request a change of status to that of Associate/Active with the provision that she shall dutifully perform her obligations as Parliamentarian and Provisional Trainer and that she shall attend all Executive Board meetings and all regular monthly meetings as an Ex-Officio member.

There shall be two Directors-At-Large that shall be members of the Executive Board and entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof. The Nominating Committee will assign two Active members to the following positions:

1. Membership Records Chairman (Card File Chairman) who shall keep classified up-to-date records listing all offices and chairmanships of each member (Active, Associate/Active, Associate, Life, Non-Resident, Sustaining) including current addresses and telephone numbers and she shall keep a correct, classified list of the names and addresses of all members and shall maintain a file of essential records on each member which shall be transferred to the successor at the close of the term of office.
2. Hours Chairman who will take an accounting of all members monthly

hours and submit a year-end report of total hours of the entire membership.

Note: In the event any elected officer cannot complete the term of office, the Nominating Committee shall present a new candidate to the general membership. As soon as possible, nominations may be made from the floor to fill the vacant office.

ARTICLE VIII-EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1. COMPOSTION AND DUTIES

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD IS COMPOSED OF THE OFFICERS AND THE CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES INVOLVING ADMINISTRATIVE OR PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED, CHAIRMEN ARE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT. THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMEN IS ONE YEAR.

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD HAS GENERAL CHARGE AND CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OF THE CHAPTER. IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MONTHLY EXAMINATION OF THE STATEMENTS OF ALL CHAPTER BANK ACCOUNTS. It shall provide for the audit of the books and accounts of the Chapter. The Executive Board shall have no powers except those specified in the Constitution and By-Laws and such as the membership shall confer upon them. It shall have the power to Act in any emergency when such an emergency is deemed to exist by two-thirds vote of the entire board. Any action by the Executive Board shall be announced to the general membership.